Title: Coram House

Author: Bailey Seybolt

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Raven Books

Publication Date: 24th April 2025

Rating: 4.5/5

Cover:

Summary:

Everyone has heard the rumours. But who knows the real story of Coram House?

True crime writer Alex Kelley is struggling after her last book tanked her career. Her reputation in tatters, she accepts a commission to ghost-write a book about Coram House, a former orphanage by a lake in Vermont that is now being turned into luxury condos. Could this be the fresh start she needs?

Years before, it was revealed that children at the orphanage were being abused; the church settled the case, but rumours persist about one of the other allegations made, that a small boy was deliberately drowned in the lake by someone in charge. Those in charge insist there was no such murder, but when Alex makes a shocking discovery only days after her arrival she realises that what began in the past is not going to stay there…

Review:

Coram House was an atmospheric and riveting read from beginning to end. The icy and chilling setting is combined with a gripping story of the past and the present melding into one another as the dark history of a former orphanage in Vermont is researched by struggling true crime writer, Alex, tasked with ghostwriting a novel on the subject. Alex is then drawn into a present day mystery with connections to Coram House after she makes a grisly discovery. The story of what is really going on here unravels slowly and shines a light on the far reaching effects of violence and trauma whilst also raising compelling and thought provoking questions on the nature of true crime writing itself. This is an elegant and intelligent mystery which grips its readers quietly in its grasp until the incredibly effective finale. There is also a fascinating note at the end on the historical context and real life inspiration for Coram House which gives the book an even stronger sense of resonance and impact. Highly recommended.

★★★★.5

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